Kusadasi

Turkey's favourite seaside destination

Kusadasi has a reputation as one of the most attractive towns of the Aegean and is popular with holidaymakers, especially cruise passengers who drop off here daily creating a lively buzz in the cafés, restaurants and bazaars.

Its popularity owes much to the proximity of the world-famous archaeological ruins of the incredible Roman city of Ephesus and biblical connections that include the house of the Virgin Mary, visited by John the Baptist, where she spent her last days.

The town lies to the north of our Apollonium Spa & Beach resort and provides an interesting day out.

The long sandy beaches are popular for sun-seekers and the ones closest to town get busy in the height of the season. Kusadasi has several interesting historical buildings and has been a centre of art and culture since antiquity with museums such as the Caravanserai.

Best known for shopping, Kusadasi is where you can haggle with friendly market traders for designer copy handbags and leatherware, jewellery, carpets and clothes. Take a break at lunchtime and hundreds of different restaurants and bars await you serving every kind of cuisine including Turkish, with its delicious meze, fresh salads and grilled meats and fish.

Kusadasi’s ‘Pigeon Island’ and fortress provide interesting focus, and the modern marina and cruise hub, Turkey’s 2nd largest, have generated smart shops and modern cafes around them.

The countryside between Apollonium Spa & Beach resort and Kusadasi is quiet and unspoilt with green pines sweeping down hillsides to fringe isolated coves and counterpoint the bright blue sea, with the forest and beaches of the Dilek National Park (known locally as Milli Park) offering picnic, nature walks and tranquil sunbathing opportunities.

There is never a problem of what to do in Kusadasi, only fitting it all in!

Apollonium Spa & Beach resort provides accommodation near Kusadasi and day trip excursions can be booked from reception.